Safety control system for fluid distribution and apparatus



Feb. 20, 1962 H. E. HANDLEY 3,0 ,866

SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FLUID DISTRIBUTION AND APPARATUS Fild July 28, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 8 86 I 6 8 1 :2- L 771 m 242 Z8 22 i -30 3a /20 e0 0 6 H0 H8 m j 62 [[1] s 1', t

6 A24 INVENTOR HAROZDA H/I/VOZf) ATTORNEY Feb. 20, 1962 H. E. HANDLEY SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FLUID DISTRIBUTION AND APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 28, 1958 INVENTOQR H/l/POL 0 5. HA N04 5 ATTORNEY 3,6)2L866 SAFETY CGNTRQL SYSTEM FQR FLUHD DISTRI- BUTTQN AND APPARATUS Harold E. Handley, .l'aekson, Mieln, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Economy Governor Company, a corporation of iindiana Filed duty 28, 1958, Ser. No. 751,559 8 fiiaims. (Cl. 131-458) The invention relates to improvements in safety gas valve structures which will function under abnormal conditions to shut otf gas flow within supply lines and is particularly adapted for use with feeder lines to residences and other consumers whereby the gas flow to the meter and internal distributing system may be stopped upon the event of abnormal conditions within or adjacent the gas line.

In its preferred form the improved gas valve structure will function to close the gas line in the event of excessive line pressure, inadequate line pressure, abnormally high ambient temperatures, flooding and may also be manually operated to stop the gas flow. In general the abnormal conditions are most likely to result from malfunctioning of the gas distribution system and to prevent explosion and unsafe conditions a valve responsive to the above irregularities adds greatly to the safe use of gas.

To describe a typical installation in a home or commercial building, the improved valve is preferably located in the gas feeder line between the gas entrance to the building or dwelling and the gas meter, or if the meter is located in a meter box on the outside of the building the valve is located in the gas line before the regulator and the meter.

The release and control mechanism for the shut off valve elements comprise a variable volume control chamber including a preloaded diaphragm operatively connected to a valve actuating support member. The chamber being under influence of the pressure within the gas line whereby movement of the diaphragm under gas pressure will operate the valving means. It is thus an object of the invention to provide an improved safety gas valve structure capable of functioning to shut off the gas supply to gas consuming devices under abnormal line pressure conditions capable of insuring the safe and normal supply of gas to the consuming device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a safety gas shut off valve having valve structure responsive to abnormal exterior conditions whereby the gas flow to gas consuming devices is interrupted upon the ambient temperature about the valve structure becoming unusually high, as in the case of fire, likewise gas flow is automatically shut off upon the valve structure becoming submerged in water should flood conditions occur.

A further object of the invention is to provide automatic safety gas shut off mechanism employing an expansible chamber sensing gas line pressure, actuating valving means responsive to expansion of said chamber whereby volume changes of the chamber beyond given limits will actuate the valving means to stop the gas flow.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a safety gas shut off valve wherein the gas flow will automatically cease upon abnormal line pressure conditions and the gas flow may not be resumed until authorized personnel has checked the gas consuming devices and properly inspected the distributing system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a safety gas shut oif valve structure which may be manually operated by the consumer but may be actuated to resume gas flow by authorized personnel wherein seal means prevent tampering and unauthorized restoration of gas service.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic gas shut ofl valve mechanism employing an expansible chamber and preloaded diaphragm wherein the chamber, diaphragm and mechanism within the chamber may be removed and replaced without interrupting the gas flow.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an automatic gas shut off valve mechanism employing an expansible chamber under line pressure including a preloaded diaphragm and actuating means operated by the diaphragm to drop a ball valve element upon a seat to stop gas flow upon movement of the actuating means beyond predetermined limits in opposite directions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an automatic gas shut off valve employing an expansible chamber and preloaded diaphragm adapted to actuate a magnet supported valve member whereby movement of the diaphragm beyond specified limits will actuate the valve member and stop the gas flow through the valve.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic gas shut oif valve for use within a gas line employing a pressure regulating device wherein maximum venting of the regulator is provided upon the opening of the valve.

These and other objects of the invention residing in the constructional combination and arrangement of parts will more fully appear from the following description and the appended claims.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional elevational view of the valve of the invention in the normal operating position,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the pressure chamber and enclosed components under excessive pressure conditions,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the pressure chamber under abnormally low pressure conditions,

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevational view of spring loaded diaphragm means which may be employed with the invention,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the thermal plug T and used with the control valve,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the vent limiter and bypass T,

FIG. 7 is a layout of a typical installation employing the control valve and the preferred safety interlocks,

FIGS. 8 and 9 are sectional elevational views of an alternate valve element supporting structure in the open and released positions respectively, and

FIG. 10 is a sectional plan view taken along the line X-X of FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 1 wherein a control valve employing the concepts of the invention is illustrated in the normal open position it is observed that the valve includes a valve casing 10 having a threaded inlet port 12 and a similar outlet port 14 separated by an integral web in which the valve seat 16 is formed. Seat 16 is of a conical configuration and annularly grooved to receive the sealing ring 18. The casing 10 is formed with a cylindrical neck 20, the upper surface of which is flanged at 22 and provided with a series of tapped holes.

The neck 20 is enclosed by a disc like. non-magnetic partition 24 which is aflixcd to the flange 22 by three circumferentially spaced bolts 26 threaded into aligning tapped holes within the flange and to insure a fluid tight seal between the flange and partition a gasket is preferably interposed therebetween. For purposes later 'descibed, the partition 24 which is of brass, aluminum or other material of non-magnetic properties and is provided with at least a pair of spaced magnetic flux conducting contact buttons 28 which are located within the partition near the center thereof. In the preferred embodiment four contact buttons 28 are used, two of which are shown, two buttons being used for each magnet pole. It is important that the contact buttons 28 be firmly secured within partition 24 to prevent leakage of the fluid within I the valve casing and may be soldered or similarly affixed to the partition. The buttons 28 extend completely through the partition 24 and are machined on each side such that a planar contact surface is presented at both sides of the partition. A spring guide pin 30, also of non-magnetic material, is coaxially aflixed to the partition'24 intermediate the buttons 28 and depends into the neck 20 of the casing to act as a guide for the valve element and actuating spring thereof.

The valve-element 32 consists of a lower valve stem body 34, the sides of which are spherical, and an upper valve stem top 36 afiixed thereto to body 34 in axial spaced relation by a spring 38. .The stem top 36 is of a magnetic material such as steel and is provided with an annular planar surface at the upper end for intimate contact with the buttons 23. The valve stem body and top are formed with an axial bore which terminates in the valve body 34forming a shoulder 40 at the junction with a reduced bore 42 which extends through the valve body to the lower surface thereof. A poppet valve 44 having an enlarged head and a downward extending stem rests on an ring seal abutting shoulder 40 such that the poppet valve stem projects through bore 42 and below the valve stem top 36 and body 34 resting on the head of poppet valve 44 at the lower end, and as assembled over the guide pin 30, abuts the partition 24. The spring 46 is of sufiicient length to be under slight compression when the valve element is released from partition 24, e.g. when the valve body 34 engages the sealing ring 18 of the valve seat as will be explained.

A pressure chamber is formed adjacent partition 24 and is defined on the sides by a cylindrical chamber wall member 48 which is concentrically affixed to partition 24 and flange 22 by means of threaded studs 50 extending through holes in the wall member and engaging tapped holeswitnin flange 22. An annular support ring 52 is superimposed on wall48 andhas stud holes formed therein whereby tightening of nuts 54 will securely maintain the chamber wall and support ring in position. A set of three additional bolts 53 may be used to secure the support ring to the chamber wall member 48 to aid in assembly. Preferably a gasket is interposed between the lower edge of wall member 48 and partition 24 and a diaphragm membrane 56 is located between support ring 52 and wall '48 defining the upper enclosure of the pressure chamber -8. The diaphragm 56 is preferably formed of a Buna rubber nylon reinforced material which resists decomposure due to gas or air contact, is highly flexible yet resists extensive stretching and is provided with an axial hole through which the diaphragm controlled structure is affixed as later described.

The chamber wall member 48 is formed with an internal annular lip 64 and an external undercut 62 which provides clearance for the heads of bolts 26. A threaded port 64 opening into chamber 58 provides access to the interior of the pressure chamber and a conduit may be aflixed to the nylon fitting 66 for communication therewith. The support ring 52 is formed with an internal annular weight support ledge 68 which is located in vertical spaced relation to the diaphragm 56.

The diaphragm controlled structure includes an upper diaphragm washer 70 and a magnetic shunt or shorting washer 72 in contiguous relation to the diaphragm on opposite sides thereof. Both offthese Washers are provided with a small axial bore through which the threaded stem of a non-magnetic stud' 74 projects. The stud 74 is of cylindrical configuration and is machined with a flanged head 75. Preferably stud 7 4 is of brass, however, aluminum or possibly a non-metallic material may be used. The stud 74 threads into an axial threaded bore in the lower end of a manual'trip rod 76 which is machined stud 74 into red 76, the washers 70 and 72- will firmly compress thediaphragm' 56 therebetween sealing the hole through the diaphragm and establishing the washer, trip rod and stud as a unit.

The diaphragm may be loaded against vertical upward movement by means of a dead weight taking the form of the illustrated weight 78. The weight is of cylindrical cross section having an axial bore 80, providing clearance for the trip rod '76, and a reduced dameter forming an annular shoulder 82 and a lower diaphragm washer contact surface 84. The weight 78 rests freely upon the ledge 68 and under normal operating conditions the pressure within chamber '58 maintains the washer '70 against the contact surface 84.

A magnet assembly is located wholly within the pressure 'chamber'58 whose purpose is to actuate the valve element 32 in accordance with the conditions prevailing within the chamber. The type of magnet employed with the described embodiment is'of the bar' type, as at 86, to which are 'aflixed' U shaped magnetic pole pieces 88 and 90. The pole pieces 88 and 90 are of similar size and shape and together form an upper magnet surface 92 and a lower magnet surface 94, each being broken by an air gap. 'The upper magnet surface 92 is formed with arcuate recesses opening into the air gap to provide a sliding clearance for the stud 74 which extends through the centralportion of the upper air gap, however, the construction is such that relative upward sliding of the stud to the upper pole piece elements is limited by the flange 75 which'will contact the underside of the upper horizontal pole piece elements. A non-magnetic stripper plate 96 having a diameter less than that of the internal diameter ,of chamber-58 encompasses the pole pieces 88 and 90 and is affixed thereto. The stripper plate 96 is formed with an integral radial key on the periphery thereof, not shown, coacting with a groove within the internal surface of wall member 48 and parallel with the axis thereof, whereby vertical movemcnt of the magnet assembly within the chamber SS is permitted yet relatve rotation is prevented.

In the normal control valve operating condition the magnet assembly will be in the position of FIG. 1 wherein the lower magnetic surface 94 formed by the pole pieces rests upon the partition 24, each pole piece engaging a contact button 28, or a pair of contact buttons where a total of four buttons are employed. When the magnetic valve stem top36 engages the lower side of partition 24 a flow path for the magnetic flux from the North pole piece of the magnet assembly to the South pole piece is established through the buttons 28 and valve stem top which is sufficient to maintain engagement of the stem top with the partition 24 holding the valve body 34 from the valve seat 16 and permitting flow through the valve casing. By employing a relatively limited contact area between the stern top and contact button, e.g. an annular rim, the magnetic flux is concentrated and maximum efiiciency obtained. To present a clean and attractive appearance to the control valve a hood 98 may be used to encompass the components above the flange 22, an opening being provided in the hood for the fitting 66, and a removable cap 139 aflixed to a hatch in hood 98 to provide access to the trip rod 76.

Referring to FIG. 7 an example of a gas control system is illustrated utilizing the control valve of the invention. Assuming the components of the system to be within the confines of the building or dwelling using the gas the building wall is represented at 102 and the fluid supply line at'1tl4 which is connected to the inlet port of the valve casing 10 of the'automatic control valve. A conduit 156 pipes the fluid from the control valve outlet to a conventional pressure regulator 108 and the regulated fluid is passed into a meter 116 and hence into the appliance supply system through line 112. A fitting 114 communicates with the line 112 and is connected by tubing 11S op'eninginto the pressure chamber 58, thus the chamber 53 will be under the same pressure as the appliance supply line 112 and fluctuations of the pressure within line 112 will also occur within the chamber.

As stated above, FIG. 1 represents the control valve under normal pressure conditions e.g. the fluid pressure within chamber 53 acting on the diaphragm 56 will hold the washer 70 in contact with the contact surface 34 of the weight 73 and the magnetic flux flowing through buttons 28 and stem top 36 maintains the valve seat open for the flow of fluid through the valve casing 10.

The mass of weight 7-8 is predetermined to regulate the point at which the valve will close under excessive pressure conditions and this action occurs as follows: When the pressure within line 112 becomes excessive, for instance should the pressure regulator malfunction, the resulting force on the underside of diaphragm 56 will lift the Weight 78 from the ledge 68 with attendant movement of the washers 70, 72, trip rod 76 and stud 74. As the stud 74 is lifted the flange 75 thereof engages the underside of the upper horizontal pole piece elements and subsequent movement will lift the entire magnet assembly. It will be noted that as the length of stud 74 is greater than the thickness of the pole pieces the connection between stud and magnet assembly is of the lost motion type and the magnet assembly will not raise unless the pressure within the chamber becomes sufiicient to support the weight and lift the weight from the ledge 63. A lifting of the magnet assembly of approximately of an inch from the contact buttons 28 is sufficient to weaken the flux flowing therethrough to cause the weight of the valve element and the action of stem spring 46 to drop the valve element wherein the body 34 engages the valve seat 16 stopping the flow of gas. This condition is shown in FIG. 2. It will be observed that the pressure of the gas within the inlet port also serves to maintain seating of the valve body.

Should the pressure within line 112 fall below a desired minimum pressure, as would occur upon a major leak or break in the appliance supply lines, the control valve also functions to stop the gas flow. Referring to PEG. 1, normally the gas pressure within chamber 58 maintains the diaphragm and Washers 7i and 72 in a spaced relation to the upper surface 92 of the magnet assembly sufficient to prevent interference by the shunt washer 72 with the magnetic field of the assembly, however, upon a decrease of gas pressure within chamber 58 to the point where the pressure force acting on the underside of the diaphragm is insufllcient to support the weight of the washers 7t and 72, stud 74, trip rod 76 and the diaphragm, the diaphragm will move downwardly. Continned downward movement of the diaphragm will lower the shunt washer 72 onto the surface 92 thereby providing a flux path of least resistance between the pole pieces which substantially decreases the flux within the contact buttons 28 and releases the valve element for sealing of the valve seat 16 and complete shut off of the gas fiow, see FIG. 3.

After the source of malfunction which caused the con trol valve to close has been remedied the control valve must be reset and means for accomplishing resetting are provided within the valve casing. Referring to FIG. 1, the reset means includes a threaded projection 118 formed on the valve casing coaxial with the axis of the valve seat 16 and valve element 32. A bore is provided in projection 118 within which the bushing 120 is fitted. A reset rod 122 is supported within the bore and bushing 129 for axial slidable movement and is provided at the lower end with a safety loch pin 124 of U shape, the legs of which may be pivoted either parallel with rod 122 or at an angle thereto. A cap 126 may be threadedly affixed to the projection and an annular perforated seal plate 128 is permanently attached to the cap. A seal ring 130 is attached to the valve casing and a seal 132 interconnects the seal ring and plate to prevent unauthorized removal of the cap 126.

1 When the cap 126 is threaded on the projection 118 the legs of the safety lock pin 124 must be extending approximately parallel to rod 122 and this relationship is possible only when the rod is in the retracted position of FIG. 1 as otherwise the pin legs would overlap the sides of the projection 118 and prevent the cap from being threaded thereon. Thus the cap 126 may not be affixed to the projection unless the reset rod is retracted preventing accidental mispositioning of the reset rod as will be later apparent.

Resetting the valve is accomplished by removing the seal 132 and the cap 126, the cap should also be removed at this time. The legs of pin 124 are pivoted to aposition approximately at right angles to rod 122 which permits the rod to be axially moved toward the valve seat 16 whereupon the rod will engage the stem of the poppet valve 44 unseating the valve 44 permitting gas to be bled into the outlet chamber of the valve casing. During this phase of resetting the gas appliances must be shut off whereby the pressure on the outlet and inlet sides of the valve body 34 will gradually equalize. After the pressure on the outlet sideof valve body 34 is sufiiciently built up to permit manual unseating of the valve body from valve seat 16, continued upward movement of reset rod 122 will engage the rod with the lower side of the valve body lifting the entire valve assembly until the valve stem top 36 contacts the partition 24 and buttons 28.

After the gas pressure within the appliance line 112 has been shut off by actuation of the control valve the pressure in chamber 58 will usually decrease to a point where the shunt washer is resting on the upper surface 92 of the magnet assembly, even if high pressure within line 112 caused initial actuation of the valve element, due to pilot lights etc. Therefore, before the magnetic flux through buttons 28 and stem top 36 will be sufficient to hold the valve element 32 in open position the shunt washer 72 must be removed from the surface 92. To accomplish this, the upper manual trip rod 76 is grasped by the operator and lifted vertically initially raising the diaphragm, washers 70 and 72 and the magnet assembly, however once the stripper plate 96 engages the underside of the lip 60 the magnet assembly is prevented from further upward movement and the shunt washer 72 is pulled from the surface 92 whereupon the magnet assembly will fall into engagement with the partition 24 and surface 92 will rest upon contact buttons 28 establishing a flux path through the buttons and stem top 36 and maintain the valve element in the open position.

The reset rod 122 is then retracted, the legs of safety lock pin 124 folded back adjacent to the rod 122 and substantially parallel thereto, cap 126 replaced and a new seal aflixed. The control valve will now permit the gas to flow into the appliance line until the next actuation. The use of safety lock pin 124 insures that the cap 126 cannot be replaced until the reset rod 122 is retracted to a position which will not interfere with seating of valve body 34 in the seat 16. Thus it is unlikely that the operator will forget to retract rod 122 after restoring the valve element to the open position.

The fitting 114 performs the functions of a dampener and a thermal release valve as well as a means for affixing the tubing to the line 112. Referring to FIG. 5 the fitting 114 is provided with intersecting passageways accessible by threaded connection ports 134, 136 and 133. The port 134 is adapted to be attached to the line 112 for communication therewith and is provided with a restricted orifice 140, for example of the diameter of a number 80 drill (.0135). The tubing 115 is afiixed to the port 136 and a thermal plug 142 having an axial bore 144 greater than orifice seals the port 138. A low melting point alloy 146 plugs the bore of the thermal plug which will melt at approximately 150 F. The fitting 114 is preferably aflixed at a point to line 112 close to the ceiling of the area containing the control valve, regulator and meter such that a fire occurring in this area would heat the thermal plug, melt the alloy and open 148 rather than a dead weight.

the passageways of the fitting 114 to the atmosphere. As

the bore 144 of the thermal plug is larger than orifice 140 the pressure Within tubing 115 and valve pressure chamber 58 will quickly drop releasing the valve element 32 and stopping the gas flow.

The primary purpose of orifice 140 is to dampen the eifect of pressure fluctuations within line 112, whereby short increases or decreases in the fluid pressure as would be caused bythe opening or closing of the valves of major appliances will not cause the valve element 32 to be released.

.The control valve of the invention will also close under flooding conditions wherein the control valve is submerged. Under normal gas pressures for domestic use the pressure within chamber $8 is equal to that of approximately 7 inches of water and thus should the depth of flood water above the diaphragm 56 be greater than 7 inches the pressure exerted on the diaphragm by the water will push the diaphragm down contacting shunt washer 72 with magnet assembly surface 92 and releasing the valve element as though under minimum pressure valve be'restored to the on" position except by breaking the seal etc. and thus it will be necessary to notify the gas company when it is desired to restore service reducing the chances of leaking gas due to unlit pilot lights, etc.

Should it be desired to employ the control valve with -a fluid system of higher than normal pressures, the loading of the diaphragm with a weight becomes impractical be cause of the mass involved and thus a spring loading arrangement may be used as illustrated in FIG. 4. The structure employed with the spring loaded diaphragm is similar to that employed with the above described embodiment from the support ring 52 to the reset means, however, the upper diaphragm washer 70 is engaged by a disc The disc 148 is provided with a central hole and is supported on the ledge 68 and is provided with an undercut portion 150 to extend below the ledge. An adjustment plate 152 is positioned in spaced relation to support ring 52 by three studs 154 which replace studs d but are of greater length. A high pressure spring 156 is interposed between disc 14% and plate 152 and the compression of spring d may be regulated by positioning plate 152 by adjusting the self locking nuts 158 on the studs 154.

It is usually desirable to increase the minimum shut oii pressure when increasing the maximum shut off pressure md thus a low pressure spring 160' is used to augment the downward movement or collapse of the diaphragm upon the pressure within chamber 58 decreasing below the desired minimum valve. The compression of spring 16b is adjusted by an exteriorally threaded tubular sleeve 162 threaded into plate 152 and fixed in position by lock nut164. The lower end of spring 160 extends through the central opening in disc 14S and rests upon the upper diaphragm washer 70. It will be understood that the springlotl is of light weight and pressure characteristics and the pressure exerted on the diaphragm washer thereby is very accurately adjusted. As with the dead weight type valve, aimanually operable trip'rod 168 is afiixed to the diaphragm' and extends through springs 156 and ltt and sleeve 162 and 'is provided with a ball knoband a housing and" cap may be used to encompass the structure as with the aforedescribed embodiment. It will be thus understood that by the use of springs the valves of the maximum'and minimum pressures to actuate the valve element may be'easily adjustedand that a wide range of actuating pressures maybe obtained.

A further embodiment of control valve employing theconcepts of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 wherein a valve of large capacity is disclosed. When employing control valves in pipe lines of two inches and over the size of the valve body becomes quite large and it is desirable to use a mechanical clamping means to maintain the valve body in the unseated position which may utilize a mechanical advantage whereby magnets used with the smaller size valves may be employed to support a much heavier valve body. In reference to FIGS. 8l0 components similar to those described above are indicated by primed reference numerals and it will be observed that the valve casing 10' is of the described configuration having inlet andoutlet ports communicating through a valve seat 16'. A brass adapter plate 170 is aflixed to the flange 22 of the casing by bolts and is provided with a thickened annular portion extending within the neck of the casing having a central guide bore 1'72. The partition 24f is bolted to the adapter plate 170 and the structure from the partition upwardly is identical to that described in regard to FIG. 1. I

A linkage support plate 174 is afiixed within the neck of the casing 10' and is provided with a pair of slots 176 through which the arms 178 project and pivot pins 180 affixed to the plate 174 pivotally mount the arms to the plate for oscillation in a common diametrical plane. The upper ends of arms 178 are connected to the head 182 of a vertically reciprocable guide stern 184 by links 186 at 187 and 189 whereby vertical movement of stem 184 will move the lower portion of arms 178 and fingers 188 toward or away from each other depending on whether or not the angular relationship of links 1E6 is increasing or decreasing. A pair of vertical guides 19!), one of which is shown, are aflixed to support plate 174 in opposed relation at 90 with respect to the arms 173 whereby the arms and guides 190 form a cradle in which the valve body 192 may be supported. Valve body 192 is of spherical configuration having planar upper and lower surfaces and is provided with an axial recess 194 into which the tubular guide sleeve 196 is affixed. A reduced bore may intersect the recess 194 for provision of a bleeding poppet valve 44. The stem 184 projects through a central opening in support plate 174 and slidingly telescopes within sleeve 196 to guide the valve body when released by the arms 178. Theabove described linkage system is similar to that shown in United States Patent No. 2,775,978.

A cylindrical magnetic carrier 198 having an upper annular rim engageable wtih the contact buttons 28 is slidably guided within bore 172 and is formed wtih an axial bore 200 intersected by a transverse bore into which the wrist pin 2% is inserted for support of the threaded connecting rod 204. The clearances between rod 204 and bore 299 are such that the rod is permitted limited universal connection to the carrier 198 to prevent binding during operation. The rod 204 is threaded into the head 18?. of stem 134 and the distance between the carrier and head regulated by the depth of the threaded connection. To aid in the release of the valve body, the pivots 187 are-connected by springs 2&6 which tend to draw the upper portions of arms 178 together and provide a rapid opening movement of the arms as will be later apparent.

In operation the valve body 192 will be supported in the position of FIG. 8 by the fingers 188 of the arms and the fluid may flow through the valve seat to the casing outlet port. The arms 178 are held in the illustrated position by the fact that the carrier 198 is held against the contact buttons 28' under influence of magnetic attraction body 1% and springs 296 is insuificient to overcome the magnetic force holding the stem in position. However,

,1 should the niagneticflux through carrier 198-be reduced due to lifting of the magnet from the partition or shunting of the flux because of abnormal fluid pressure conditions the springs 206 and weight of valve body 192 on the fingers will move pivots 187 toward the head 182 releasing the valve body for engagement with seat 16, FIG. 9. During this movement the carrier and stem 184 will move downwardly and the stem acts to guide the dropping of the valve body. Thus adequate support and actuation of a heavy valve body with the same magnet assembly employed with the smaller valves is achieved. To reset the valve the body structure similar to that of FIG. 1 is employed.

Referring again to FIG. 7 several safety and convenience features may be incorporated with the improved control valve resulting in a safe gas system which may be easily adapted to meet local installation codes. For instance, if an external gas shut ofi is required by the code, the use of a curb box valve may be eliminated by employing a manually operable bleeding valve located within a housing 208 on the exterior side of wall 102 connected to the fitting 116 by tubing. The valve within housing 203 may be of conventional type, the only requirement being that the valve when open has a larger opening than orifice 149 whereby the pressure within chamber 58 will drop below the minimum pressure value and release the valve element.

A further feature which increases the safety and life of the gas system includes a conduit 210 of tubing which is affixed to the regulator 108 by a T 211 in communication with the breathing side of the regulator diaphragm and the other end of conduit 210 is aflixed to a blind fitting 212 afiixed to the cap 126 of the resetting structure which, in effect, seals this end of the conduit. When the control valve is being reset it is necessary to first remove the tubing at fitting 212 before the cap 126 may be removed and thus the breathing side of the regulator diaphragm will be unrestrictedly open to the atmosphere when the control valve is opened and any sudden pressures exerted on the regulator diaphragm effect immediate response by the regulator to achieve the proper gas pressure. The conduit 210 is preferably used in conjunction with an automatic check valve orifice vent limiter 214 of conventional construction which restricts the exhausting of air from the regulator yet permits air to easily enter the regulator diaphragm chamber. Vent limiters of this type are advantageous in that the regulator need not be vented to the outdoors as a leak in the regulator dia phragm only permits a small amount of gas to escape which is detectable yet not of suflicient quantity to be dangerous. However, when regulators employing vent limiters are subjected to sudden high pressures, as when the control valve is opened, regulator response is slow and undesirable high pressures may be briefly imposed on the appliance line. The conduit 210, in effect, by-passes the vent 214 during opening of the control valve and upon replacing cap 126 and reaflixing the end of conduit 210 to fitting 212 after restoration of the gas service will reestablish functioning of the vent limiter 214. Thus a simple, but effective, regulator breathing interlock is provided between the control valve and the regulator which permits the regulator to rapidly respond to pressure changes during opening of the gas line yet permits the limiter vent to function during normal operation.

It will thus be understood that the control valve of the invention provides an automatically responsive valve sensitive to excessive and inadequate line pressures, fire or dangerously high ambient temperatures and flooding. Manual control is also possible and constructional details such as making the valve element 32 of two pieces separated by a spring 38 to reduce the possibility of excessive vibration accidentally disengaging the valve element and tapering valve seat 16 such that destruction of sealing ring 18 by heat would not prevent sealing of the valve element combine to provide a superior control valve. By sensing the pressure within the appliance supply line malfunctioning of the regulator, meter or appliance may readily be detected by the valve with attendant valve actuation if necessary and the safe use of gas or other fluids advanced. The use of bolts 26 and studs 50 permit that part of the valve above the partition 24 to be replaced without leakage or loss of fluid from the casing as the partition will remain in position facilitating ease of repair and replacement.

It will be understood that various modifications to the described embodiments may be apparent to those skilled in the art and it is intended that the invention be defined only by the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In an automatic fluid flow control valve comprising a valve casing having inlet and outlet ports in communication through a valve seat and a magnetic valve element releasable to sealingly engage said valve seat, valve actuating means including a variable volume chamber in communication with the pressurized fluid whose flow is to be controlled, a diaphragm defining a portion of said chamber and movable between first and second positions in response to desired maximum and minimum pressure conditions, respectively, within said chamber, a fluid tight uninterrupted non-magnetic partition interposed between said chamber and said casing and afiixed to the latter, a magnet within said chamber normally in contiguous relation with said partition and creating a flux passing through said partition capable of maintaining said valve element adjacent thereto, means interconnecting said diaphragm and said magnet operable to vertical- 1y lift said magnet from said partition thereby reducing the flux passing therethrough and releasing said valve element upon diaphragm movement exceeding said first position, and magnetic flux shunting means responsive to diaphragm movement operable by changing the flux path to reduce the flux passing through said partition supporting said valve element thereby releasing said valve element upon diaphragm movement exceeding said second position.

2. In an automatic fluid flow control valve comprising a valve casing having inlet and outlet ports in communication through a valve seat and a magnetic valve element releasable to sealingly engage said valve seat, valve actuating means including a variable volume chamber in communication with the pressurized fluid whose flow is to be controlled, a diaphragm defining a portion of said chamber and movable between first and second partitions in response to desired maximum and minimum pressure conditions, respectively, within said chamber, a fluid tight uninterrupted non-magnetic partition interposed between said chamber and said valve casing and affixed to the latter, magnet means Within said chamber normally in contiguous relation with said partition and creating a flux passing through said partition capable of maintaining said valve element adjacent thereto, magnetic flux conducting elements extending through said partition engageable by the magnet means and said valve element, means pre-loading said diaphragm against movement approaching said first position, means interconnecting said diaphragm and said magnet means operable to vertically lift said magnet means from said partition thereby reducing the flux passing therethrough and releasing said valve element upon diaphragm movement exceeding said first position and magnetic flux shunting means aflixed to said diaphragm operable by changing the flux path to reduce the flux passing through said partition supporting said valve element causing the release thereof upon diaphragm movement exceeding said second position.

3. In an automatic fluid flow control valve as in claim 2 wherein said valve element includes a magnetic carrier member adapted to be held adjacent to said partition by magnetic flux passing therethrough and a valve seat engageable portion movable with respect to said car rier member and linkage means operably connected to said carrier member operable to support said valve seat engageableportion in spaced relation to said valve whereby reduction of'said magnetic-flux releases carrier member from said partition and releases valve seat engageableportionfor engagement with seat. a

' 4.In an automatic fluid flow controlvalve asin claim 3 wherein said carrier member includesa stem and said valve element seat engageable portion is guidabiy, movably supported upon saidste'rn, said linkage meansineluding lever arms pivotally supported within said valve casing, one end of said'arms being interconnected with said carrier member and the other end of said arms 'engaging-and operable to support said valve seat engageable portion. 7 p

5. In an automatic fiuid new control valve comprising avalve casing having inlet and outlet ports in communication through a valve seat and a magnetic valve element releasabie tose'aling'ly engage said valve seat, valve actuating means including a variable volume chamber incomrnunication with the pressurized fluidwho'se flow is'to 'be-controlled, a diaphragrn'defining a portion of said chamberand'movable between first and second positions in response to desired maximum and minimum pressure conditions,respectively, within said chamber, a fluid tight non-magnetic partition interposed between said chamber and said valve casing and afiixed to the latter, a magnet assembly within said chamber including a magnet and pole elements afiixed to said magnet having an air gap therebetween, first and second spaced contact surfaces, each of said surfaces being defined by spaced dissimilar magnetic pole elements, said first surface being adjacent said diaphragm and said second surface be ing adjacent said partitin, magnetic flux conducting elements within said partition normallyengageable by said second contact surface and said valve elements on oppo site sides of said partition, 21 lost motion connection interposed between said magnet assembly and said 'diseat said said said aphragm operable to disengage said second contact surface and said flux conducting elements upon movement of said diaphragm exceeding said first position releasing said valve element, flux shunt means affixed to said diaphragm for movement therewith operable to bridge said 12 first contact surface upon mtivementof said diaphragm exceeding said second position thereby"reducingthe 'fiux within said'flux conducting elementsand"releasing'said valve element, pre'determined diaphragm loading means resisting movementof' said diaphragm approaching said first position andreset'means"witbin said valve casing operable to return said 'valve element adjacent said partition.

6. In a control'valve'as in'claim 5 wherein said 'diaphragm loading'rn'eans comprises a dead Weight liftingly engageable by said diaphragm and said reset'me'ans comprisesanaxiallyrnovable rod"'operable toopen a bleed'er valve within said valveel'ement prior to resetting said valve element. I

7. In a"control valve asin'claimS wherein said diaphragm loading means'comprises an adjustable pressure compression 'sp'ringarid' manuall'; operated means is'affixed to said diaphragm.

8.In a"'c'ontrol"valve as'in'claim 5 wherein said diaphragm 'loading'means comprises an adjustableplate in "spacedrelationto-said"diaphragm,' a ledge defined on said'valve' casing adjacent said diaphragm, a' diaphragm eng'ageable' member supported adjacent said chamber upon said ledge and displaceable by said diaphragm,a first spring interposed between said plate andsaid di- 'aphragrn engageable member, a second spring interposed 'betweensaid plate and said'diaphra'gm and means carried by said plateoperableto adjust the compression of said second spring.

References Cite-din the fileof this patent A UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,916,635 Pepper: July4, 1933 2,091,482 McCreary- Aug. 31, 1937 2,73 ,729 Wolfe Feb. 7, 1956 2,749,926 :Dillrnan June 12, 1956 2,777,456 Ey Ian; 15, 1957 2,834,371 Liljestrand May 13, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 952,341 Germany Nov. 15, 1956 

